This Is Operation Rattletrap

Published April 12th, 2007

The Ocala Police Department is handing out $76.50 fines to anyone playing their car stereos loud enough that they can be heard at twenty-five feet or further from the car during any time of the day whether stopped or moving.

Twenty-five feet is about the distance of two lanes which means on a four lane highway if a stereo can be heard by traffic going in the opposite direction; it's likely in violation.

The zero tolerance crackdown, known as Operation Rattletrap, began April 4th and will run indefinitely. This Friday April 13th the Ocala Police Department's traffic unit will be on the streets in undercover and marked vehicles in high traffic areas of Ocala giving out tickets.

"Hopefully we will be able not to disturb the other citizens who are here and not take away their right to listen to their music," said Sargeant Billy Woods. "But we want to make them more aware of what the statute says and get them to comply with that statue."

The state statute mandates a $76.50 fine per ticket but does not have stiffer penalites for repeat offenders.